On 3 October, Agricultural Writers South Africa’s North branch announced its annual winners.
By Carien Kruger, Senior Journalist at African Farming and Landbouweekblad
Winner: New Entrant to Commercial Agriculture of the Year – Free State
Joseph Khlaleli of Tau Itsheeletsie (“this lion is going to farm now”) in the Eastern Free State, is a farmer whose passion for agriculture stems from childhood days spent alongside his father, a farmworker.
A respected producer shaping a sustainable farming future, Joseph embodies the spirit of modern agriculture: passion, precision and a deep connection to family and community.
Those formative years planted a lifelong dream that became reality in 2005, when he launched his first venture on just 66,5ha. Balancing farming with a career as a financial consuntant, he steadily expanded his enterprise, returning full-time to agriculture in 2019.
Today, his mixed farming operation on Zandfontein near Bethlehem and Lindley covers 343ha (with an additional 168ha leased) and produces maize, sunflower, sugar beans and Bonsmara cattle.
In recognition of his hard work, resilience and vision, Joseph was recently named AGT Foods Africa Emerging Dry Bean Producer of the Year. Hy is also a member of Grain SA’s 250 Ton Club and has completed several training courses to sharpen his technical skills.
As part of the VKB Mentorship Programme, he planted yellow and white maize, sunflower and small white beans this season. He’s already achieved an impressive 1,80t/ha with his white bean harvest and is anticipating a strong maize yield.
Community involvement is central to Joseph’s approach. As chairperson of the Kaallaagte Farmers’ Association since 2020, he has championed knowledge sharing and spearheaded initiatives, such as hosting commercial and livestock auctions in partnership with BKB. His dedication extends beyond the farm gate: He invests 10% of his profits into local development projects. Currently, he employs 22 seasonal workers, with ambitions to create permanent jobs and train young people for careers in agriculture.
Married to Elizabeth and father of three, Joseph is proud that two of his children are showing keen interest in farking – a hopeful third generation ready to cultivate Zandfontein.
Also read: Farming writers honour Sophy Litshani Musabeni
Winner: New Entrant to Commercial Agriculture of the Year – KwaZulu-Natal
Originally from Amanzimtoti near Durban in KwaZulu-Natal, Linda Mthalane relocated to Dundee after a 10-year career in the corporate hospitality industry. As a city woman stepping into a male-dominated space, Linda began her farming journey five years ago when she purchased her first cattle. She is one of the few producers breeding Simbra and Brahman cattle in the area where she farms.
After school she obtained a Diploma in Hospitality Management from The International Hotel School, and later a Mew Managers’ Development Programme (NQF5) qualification from Stellenbosch University. She, however, was forced to leave the hospitality industry during the Covid-19 pandemic.
After marrying her husband, Bonginkosi Nkosi. She invested her savings and money from her pension fund into Nkonyane Yenkosi Farming (Pty) Ltd.
She and Bonginkosi started with just eight cattle. Today, Rietvlei is home to approximately 200 breeding cattle, with five certified bulls. Linda oversees all aspects of the farm’s operations. Nkonyane Yenkosi Farming specialises in weaner production. The breeding stock is kept on the farm, and Linda rears calves until they are weaned. After the weaners have achieved the desirable weights, they are taken to auction and sold mostly to feedlot owners.
Although she has no formal training in agriculture, and many wondered how she would possibly know how to handle large animals, the farm is where her heart now lies “I absolutely love being a livestock farmer,” she says.
Also read: This year’s national entrant into commercial agriculture
Winner: New Entrant to Commercial Agriculture of the Year – North West
Nkosana Mtimkulu’s journey is a powerful testament to the spirit of a modern farmer. He left a successful corporate career in sales and marketing in 2010 to pursue a purpose-driven life in agriculture. Starting with a dairy farm, he quickly built a vertically integrated agribusiness, even establishing his own processing facility.
This ambitious venture, however, faced immense challenges – from shifting market dynamics to the economic shocks of the Covid-19 pandemic – ultimately leading to its closure. Instead of defeat, Nkosana found a new beginning. He returned to his roots, shifting his focus to grain production in 2022. With strategic vision, he leveraged his business acumen to cultiate high-value crops like non-GMO popcorn maize, wheat and small white beans, securing partnerships with industry giants like Tiger Brands and PepsiCo’s Kgodiso Development Fund. His farm, which operates on a 30- year government lease, is 533ha.
His dedication extends beyond his own farm. As a former chairperson for the African Farmers’ Association of South Africa (AFASA), he passionately championed farmer development. He now independently hosts quarterly study groups and an annual farmers’ Day, drawing over 150 farmers to his land to share knowledge on everything from technology to business management. Nkosana also prioritises inclusive employment, with a dedicated team of six permanent youth employees and up to 80 seasonal contract workers, 70% of who are women.
* The North branch’s winners are all candidates for the national Agricultural Writers SA Awards that will be announced in the Western Cape on 14 November.
